Lady Cyclones win, will play for title

SEARCY — The Russellville Lady Cyclones defeated the Searcy Lady Lions 5-3 in penalty kicks on Saturday to advance to the Class 5A state championship.

With the game scoreless at halftime, Emmy Moreno gave Russellville a 1-0 lead. Searcy answered with four minutes left off a corner kick to tie the score 1-1 at the end of regulation.

With the score still tied after two overtime periods, the game went to penalty kicks. Blakely Walker, Moreno and Megan Flemming all scored in penalty kicks. Kate Lane scored the final kick to give the Lady Cyclones the victory.

“They key to this game was perseverance,” Russellville head coach Kelly Young said.

“It was just a gut-it-out type of game. I don’t know how many yellow cards were given on both sides. It was two good teams just battling it out. No one really outplayed the other. It was just a battle out there. A gutwrenching battle.”

The Lady Cyclones suffered two injuries to starters in overtime. Young said it was a testament to the toughness of her club to see them overcome.

“We pretty much played the whole end of the second half with hardly any subbing,” she said. “They were exhausted.”

Russellville last played for a state championship in 2017, where they finished as Class 6A runners-up. The Lady Cyclones’ last title was in 2012.

Russellville will play the winner between Little Rock Christian and Greenbrier in the championship game. Game times are to be determined.

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The Courier - Your Messenger for the River Valley in Russellville, AR.MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to the use of or republication of all the local news printed in this newspaper as well as AP news dispatches.